Fastening means



June 25, 1929. c w wYMAN 1,718,270

FASTENING MEANS Filed Sept. 10, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l 30 fasteningdevice.

. as of Fig. 3.

Patented June 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICIE.

CHARLES 'W. WYMAN, F CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOB T0 SULLIVANMACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FASTENING MEANS.

Application filed September This invention relates to fastening meansfor fuse plugs, hand hole covers, or the like.

It has for its object to provide an im-' proved fastening means.Afurther object is to provide improved fastening means having aplurality of elements and each having cooperating securing elements. Afurther object is to provide an improved means for securing a removableelement, which means employs a plurality of cooperating elements ofwhich at least one is rotated when opened but is held against rotation,when fastened, by its cooperating element. A further object is toprovide an improved fastening means which when applied to a plurality ofelements to be fastened can positively fasten all of said elements by asingle means.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustrationthree embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig.1 is a plan view of a plurality of hand hole covers embodying myimproved fastening means.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1 partlybroken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a modified form of my improved Fig. 4 isa side elevation ofthe structure shown in Fig. 3, partly broken away to show details ofconstruction.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line 55 Fig. 6-is a furthermodification showing a fuse plug with my associated therewit f Fig. '7is a view similar to Fig. 6 with the plug fuse removed:

ig. 8 is a partial transverse-section on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a partial transverse section on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

In one illustrative embodiment of my invention, I have shown a frame orbox structure 1 within which is disposed any suitable mechanism, such asa commutator for an electric motor, valve mechanism, or any othermechanism which it is desired should not be tampered with in anunauthorized manner. Access to this mechanism can be had throughanfopening 2 over which a plate 5 is disposed and bolted to the frame bysuitable cap screws 6 which may be sealed improved securing means 1 10,1924. Serial No. 736,875.

in any suitable manner to prevent unauthorized removal. This plate 5comprises a series of threaded apertures 7, 8 and 9, although it will beunderstood that a greater or less number may be used. PrO ectingupwardly from the opposite ends of said plate are apertured lugs 10 and10. Disposed within the openings 7 and 8 are substantially identicalcovers 12 and 13 each having an arcuate recess 14 formed in theperiphery thereof, the curvature. of the arcuate recess being the sameas that of the periphery of flanges 15 of said covers. The last cover 11is not provided with an arcuate recess, but instead has an apertured lug16 extending upwardly from its flange 15.

In the operation of this form, assuming that all of thecovers areremoved, the cover 12 will first be screwed into place and so positionedthat the arcuate recess 14 will be as positioned in Fig. 1. The adjacentcover 13 is then screwed into place, which can be accomplished due tothe fact that the curvature of the recess 14 .onforms to the peripheryof the flange 15 of the adjacent cover. Said cover 13 is screwed intoplace with its recess 14 positioned as shown in Fig. 1; after which thefinal or master cover 11 will be screwed into place, and positioned sothat the aperture in the lug 16 will be in alinement with the aperturesin the lugs 10 and 10. A rod 17 having one end-bent as at 18 and the.other end straight will be inserted through the several apertures in thelugs, and a padlock or other suitable locking means 19 passed through asuitable opening in the straight end of the bar 17. Thus the singlecover 11 controls or fastens the remaining covers, thus necessitatingonly a sin le locking device. It will be observed, owever, that apadlock could be passed directly through the lugs 10 and 16, but bypassing a bar across the face of the covers any at tempt to remove oneby force or otherwise will necessitate bending of the bar 17 and thus bea clear indication that an unauthorized attempt has been made to breakinto the interiorof the frame 1.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 to 5 I have shown aplate 25 adaptedto cover the opening 2 in the frame 1. This plate has a plurality ofthreaded apertures 26 which receive flanged threaded covers 27, eachhaving a pair of upstanding apertured lugs 28. When in the positionshown in Fig. 3, the 110 vice it will also be seen that there is acertain cooperation, as in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 between thevarious elements to be fastened in that fastening one elementnecessitates the fastening of the other. It is also to be observed thatthe bow of a padlock could be passed directlythrough the adjacent lugs28 on each of the covers 27.

In Figs. 6 to 9 I have shown my improved securing means combined with afuse plug with the purpose of positively securing the fuse plug in placebefore a switch can be thrown into closed position, thus providing meansfor positively holding the plug in place in case the same should explodewhich -would ordinarily eject the same from its socket. For purposes ofillustration I have shown a case 35 having a recess 36 into whichlaterally projects a yieldingly pressed plug latching device 37.Extending longitudinally of the recess 36 and disposed above the same isa slot 38 adapted to receive a flange 39 extending upwardly of aperiphery from the fuse plug 40 which is slidably received within therecess 36. The flange 39 has two arcuate recesses 41 and 42 which arearranged "so as to be in alinement with two transverse bores 43 and 44respectively when the plug 40 is pushed into place. These bores projectinto the slot 38, a distance equal to one-half their diameter. Securingrods 45 and-46 are disposed within the bores 43 and 44, respectively,and each rod has a transverse slot 47 extending to a depth equal toone-half the diameter of the rod so that when the same are rotated tothe position shown in Fig. 7, the uncut portion of the rods will beclear ofthe slot 38 and thus permit the insertion into the recess 36 ofthe plug 40 which will be held in its position by fastening member 37.It is to be understood that a suitable switch such as a knife switchcould be connected to the securing rod 46; and to positively insure thatthe fuse plug will be held in the recess 36 before the switch is closedI have provided the pair of securing rods with flanges 48 each having anarcuate recess 49, the curvature of which is the same as that of theperiphery of the flanges 48. A spring pressed pin 50 is also adapted toengage the transverse slot of the locking rod 46 as shown in Fig. 7 whenthe fuse plug is removed.

In the operation of this form of device, the fuse will first beinserted, the fastener 37 serving to hold the same in position. Duringthis-insertion, the pin 50' will be forced out of engagement with thebar 46. The bar 45 will then be rotated, causing the uncut portionthereof to extend into the recess 41, thus doubly insuring that the fuseplug cannot be thrown or forced outwardly. When the arcuate recessvinthe flange 48 of the locking rod 45 is adjacent the flange of the rod46, the latter can then be turned to close the switch which it controls,it being noted that before the switch is adapted to be closed the fuseis doubly secured. It is also to'be noted that the pin 50 is assisted inholding the rod 46 against rotation, when the fuse plug is removed, bythe flange 48 of the rod 45 extending within the arcuate recess formedin the flange of the rod 46,'

thus insuring that the switch cannot be closed until the plug isinserted.

While I have in this application specifically described three formswhich my invention may assume in practice, it will be 'understod thatthese forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and thatthe invention may be modified and embodied in various other formswithout departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I'claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an interlocking mechanism, a grooved rotatable member, .aremovable member relative to which said grooved member is rotatable, aplunger movable relative to and controlled by said removable member andreceivable in said groove, and a I second grooved rotatable memberrotating on an axis parallel to said first grooved rotatable member andconstituting securing means thereforx 2. In an interlocking mechanism, a

grooved rotatable member, a removable 4 member relative to which saidgrooved member is rotatable, a plunger movable relative to andcontrolled by said removable member and receivable in said groove, and asecond grooved rotatable member rotating on an axis parallel to said.first grooved rotatable member and constituting securing means therefor,said removable member being provided with a plurality of grooves withwhich said rotatable members cooperate in one position.

3. In combination, a removable member having a cutaway portion, arotatable memher, a second rotatable member, said rotatable members eachhaving arcuate portions andcutaway portions, the arcuate portion of thefirst of said rotatable members interfitting with the cutaway portion ofthe sec- 0nd, and the cutaway portion of the first being adapted tointerfit with a portion of the removable member, a portion of the firstrotatable member also'bemg adapted to fill the cutaway portion of theremovable member to secure the same or to be moved out of said cutaway"portion so as to release the removable member.

.means for securing said slidable element comprising a plurality ofmovable members each adapted in one position to interfit with a portionof said slidable element, said movable members interengaging betweenthemselves when both are in interfitting relation with said slidableelement.

5. In combination, a principal member, a removable member having acutaway portion, and means for fastening the removable member to theprincipal member comprising a plurality of rotatable elements one ofwhich is adapted to engage said cutaway portion and thereby fasten saidremovable member when said rotatable elements are rotated to fasteningposition, a pair of said rotat able elements interengaging in saidfastening position due to each having arcuate peripheral portions andcutaway peripheral portions and the arcuate portion of one of saidmembers interfitting with the cutaway portion of the other.

6. In combination, a removable member formed with engaging portions, andmechanism adapted to interfit with said engaging portions for securingsaid member comprising two or more rotatable elements each having asecuring portion adapted to be rotated into engagement withsaidremovable member, said elements having other portions which interfitwhen said elements are in fastening position.

7. In combination, a removable member formed with engaging portions, andmechanism adapted to interfit with said engaging portions for securingsaid member comprising a rotatable element having a securing portionadapted to be rotated into engagement with said removable member and anin 40 terlock portion, and a rotatable element having a securing portionadapted to be rotated into engagement with said removable member andanother portion adapted to move into interlocking relation with thecorresponding portion of the first mentioned element upon rotation ofsaid second mentioned element into securing position.

8. Means for fastening a removable member comprising a pair of elements,one of said elements having a latch portion mov' able into one positionfor fastening the memher and removable into another position forreleasing the member, each of said elements having an interlock portionengageable by the other of the elements but engagement taking place onlyalternatively, engagement of one interlock portion taking place-when thelatch portion is in one of its positions, and engagement of the otherinterlock portion taking place when the latch portion is in the other ofits positions.

9. In combination, a removable member formed with engaging portions, andmechanism adapted to interfit with said engaging portions for securingsaid member, comprising rotatable elements each having a securingportion adapted to be rotated into engagement with said removablemember, one of said elements having a positioning portion, saidpositioning portion being engaged by another of said elements uponrotation of the latter element, whereby the former element is held insecuring position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES WV. WYMAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent N... 1,718, 210.

Granted June 25, 1929, to

CHARLES W. WYMAN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,ll'I'lQS 29 and 30, strike out the words "of a periphery from the" andinsert instead from the pen-- phery of a"; page 3, line 33, claim 6,fori"fastening" read secur ng and that the said Letters Patent should beread with these corrections therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this-30th day of July, A. D. 1929.

(Seal) M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

